• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
CaliGirl Cooking
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Kids & Baby
  • Meal Planning Services
  • Shop My Amazon Store
  • Contact
×

Home » Breakfast » Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola

Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola

Published July 10, 2017 | Updated Nov 21, 2019 by Robin Deem 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A classic granola recipe gets a decadent makeover with the addition of antioxidant-heavy dark chocolate and toasted coconut.

A large batch of Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola is all you need for snack time cravings or the perfect breakfast.

We’re heading to Kauai on Thursday for our babymoon/make-up honeymoon (since we got stuck in a hurricane on the last one) so delicious, healthy travel snacks have been on this momma-to-be’s mind. And what better travel snack then homemade granola? Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola to be exact. We are headed to the tropics, after all!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of granola, and especially any homemade version since I found my favorite base recipe, Andy’s Fairfield Granola. It’s THE perfect granola recipe as it is, and it’s served as the perfect guideline whenever I’ve had inspiration strike for a certain special flavor, like my Addicting S’mores Granola Clusters.

I’ve been dreaming of a Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola for quite some time now, and I figured what better time to make it than when I’m in need of some travel-friendly snacks for a five hour plane ride?

A delicious bowl of Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola just waiting to be consumed.

But before I get to the recipe, tell me, do you have any recommendations for us for while we’re in Kauai? I’ve been there before (although it’s been at least 10 years or so) but the hubs has never been. We’re staying in Poipu, and the only thing we have planned so far is a boat ride up the Na Pali Coast. Since I’m 25 weeks now, we’re obviously not planning on doing anything too strenuous, but any pregnancy-friendly recommendations you have are welcome (and, obviously, any food we must eat while we’re there!)

Okay, back to this granola. It’s really so easy, it doesn’t need much explaining. I (very) roughly followed the guidelines of Andy’s Fairfield Granola, but with some modifications to really make it pop with dark chocolate and coconut flavors. The original recipe calls for honey as a sweetener, but this time around I decided to try out maple syrup to change things up a bit, and I’m pleased to say it worked out fabulously.

Also, cocoa powder to coat all your oats is such a must in this recipe! Being the chocolate-lover that I am, I often find myself picking out only bites that involve it when I’m eating things like granola, trail mix, etc. With the cocoa powder coating on the oats, you get delicious chocolate in every bite! My kind of granola right there.

A bowl of Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola doused in almond milk.

Did I mention this recipe is SUPER easy to make? I mean, seriously, if you’re a novice baker, this recipe’s for you. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon, spread the mix out on a cookie sheet and bake for about 40 minutes. The trickiest part is the stirring and adding of the coconut you have to do partway through the baking process, but as long as you know how to set a timer, I think you’ve got this.

Mixing up a big batch of Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola.

Oh, you’re also going to have to have the patience to let your Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola cool back down to room temperature and let the chocolate harden again, which may in fact turn out to be the hardest part since the granola’s delicious smell will be permeating through your household the entire time. But wouldn’t you say a big batch of a delicious, nutritious snack is worth it?

Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola is the perfect on-the-go snack or breakfast.

A large batch of Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola is all you need for snack time cravings or the perfect breakfast.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola

A classic granola recipe gets a decadent makeover with the addition of antioxidant-heavy dark chocolate and toasted coconut.
4 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: CaliGirl Cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • 4 ounces unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups flaked unsweetened coconut
  • 2 cups dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 310 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large jelly roll pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, applesauce, maple syrup, cocoa powder, cinnamon and sea salt until well-combined. Spread out evenly on the prepared jelly roll pan.
  • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, give the granola a stir and set the timer for 5 more minutes. 
  • When the timer goes off again, add the flaked coconut and stir the granola again. Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. 
  • Remove granola from the oven and add the dark chocolate chips to the pan, stirring to spread them out evenly. Let cool to room temperature before eating.
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CaliGirlCooking or tag #CaliGirlCooking!

Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola | CaliGirlCooking.com

« Virgin Stone Fruit Sangria
Island Style Teriyaki Beef Sliders »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darice

    March 11, 2022 at 7:58 pm

    4 stars
    I made this tonight, and it is yummy! I did use sweetened coconut because I already had it in the pantry. I’m guessing this is meant to be served with yogurt or cereal? Would you think it should be refrigerated or not?

    Reply
    • Robin Deem

      March 16, 2022 at 9:01 am

      I love snacking on the granola on its own, or you can also enjoy it with yogurt or milk! You should only need to refrigerate it if you live in a particularly warm climate. Enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Robin! I'm a busy mom, food blogger and online educator empowering other mamas to find their very own recipe for a balanced life through meal planning, easy recipes and organizational techniques. I look forward to getting to know you and teaching you my tried and true tricks!

Popular Recipes

Three jars of Oat Milk Chia Pudding topped with Blueberry Orange Compote on a wooden serving plank.

Oat Milk Chia Pudding with Blueberry Orange Compote

A mug of Sleepytime Lavender Milk is the perfect bedtime treat for a good night's sleep.

Sleepytime Lavender Milk

Three-Ingredient Calabrian Chili Spread | CaliGirlCooking.com

The Easiest Three-Ingredient Calabrian Chili Sauce

Spicy Poke Bowls | CaliGirlCooking.com

Spicy Poke Bowls

BEST MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES

Ginger Peach Cobbler

Easy Mango Salsa

Honey, Peach & Basil Two-Cheese Grilled Cheese | CaliGirl Cooking

Honey, Peach & Basil Two-Cheese Grilled Cheese

A big bowl of refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad with Prosciutto. The perfect summer salad!

Watermelon Caprese Salad with Prosciutto

Copyright © 2020 CaliGirl Cooking · Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement

150 shares
  • 5
150 shares
  • 5